Calciolangbeinite is a very rare sulfate mineral found in marine evaporite deposits. Collectors typically look for small, cubic, colorless to pale yellow crystals associated with other potash minerals in salt dome environments.
Is this calciolangbeinite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch calciolangbeinite with a known reference. Calciolangbeinite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Calciolangbeinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Calciolangbeinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant crystals.
Often confused with
Calciolangbeinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside calciolangbeinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calciolangbeinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Ca₂(SO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Equant Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find calciolangbeinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Stassfurt, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where calciolangbeinite typically forms. If you start seeing langbeinite, halite, sylvite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.




